Have you ever heard the expression “it really is what it is”? What does that expression mean exactly?
Before I understood the deeper meaning of this expression, I envisioned an emaciated yogi guru in the lotus position floating above the ground imperiously imparting wisdom that could take scholars multiple lifetimes to interpret. Since how this is my last life on earth and the lotus position would put me in traction, I knew that consulting the Course In Miracles would help me clarify its meaning.
a course in miracles
What is the IT that people are authoring here? Based on the Course in Miracles, IT is truth, specifically God’s truth. Why is it important to emphasize that it is God’s truth? Because God’s truth is not available to interpretations whereas a human’s truth is. Multiple versions of human truth have lead to an array of religions. The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia defines religion as a “system of thought, feeling, and action that’s shared by way of a group and that gives the members an object of devotion.”
Who devised the system of thought? On whose feelings are these thoughts based? Are actions really necessary? Based on the Course In Miracles, God just is and our ultimate goal would be to return to an ideal state of being. There is no thought or action in the state of being, you just are. What must not be forgotten may be the underlying thread of most religions: God is creator, God is love and we are all perfect and infinite children of God.
Most find it very unsettling to consider the theory that choice is in fact an illusion, or the illusion of choice, as stated in A TRAINING COURSE in Miracles (ACIM). You make choices everyday, so the notion of choice not being real seems highly illogical also to say the least, improbable, given its consistent daily use. Although choice is necessary when you are here, it ultimately remains a part of the illusion and is not a part of God. Choice is unsettling as you believe it to be necessary, not because it can be an illusion.”
It stands to reason that you will be in what you think of as this world because you have made the decision, or choice, because of this world to be real. In the event that you continue making that same choice, it keeps on becoming a lot more real. ACIM clearly points out that ideas usually do not leave their source. Who then would be the source? What choices are you really making?
Choice, Perception and Judgment:
You imagine this world is real as you made the choice to believe the ego’s version of reality from the original separation. Those initial perceptions are accompanied by the next choice that is to judge the results, thereby producing further consequences which reinforce the belief nowadays. It’s a vicious, no-win cycle. As you perceive you’ll judge; so when you judge you’ll perceive. Error is made real by this simple twisted deception. Withdraw your decision to believe in the outcomes and the error can be corrected.
Choice and Source:
Can you not then be the source since you are the one making the decision to believe? You do not remember that original separation; however, you are making choices now, and you also are doing so continuously. Every moment you’re choosing between thoughts, feelings and ideas, etc. If it is not you, then who do you want to claim is responsible? Be careful, because claiming another is responsible is in fact blame and you haven’t any power to change if you think another is in charge. You are simply making yourself a victim. Both these are ego tricks.
Accepting responsibility for everything, including choice and its consequences is the fastest solution to change. This allows you to choose again as you can see the results and realize that you must have chosen in error. It is your thoughts and beliefs combined with the decision, or choice, to make them true that becomes the effect of what you see in your world. The Law of Cause and Effect is very simple: According to the mind you pick from, as cause, you will notice the corresponding effect.
As long as as you’ve got a split mind, you’re constantly choosing between the wrong mind of the ego (error) and the Right Mind of the Holy Spirit (correction). You will notice the effect with respect to the choice of mind you use as cause. You cannot have two masters. In the ego world, it is usually one or the other. Choosing the correction of the Holy Spirit undoes the error of the ego and returns the mind to the peace of God. This process is also referred to as forgiveness.
Choice for Correction:
Forgiveness is only your brain being returned, or corrected, back to the Truth as you decide for it to be that way. Handing on the ego’s judgments corrects your brain and correction is what? Forgiveness. Another cause results in a different effect.
Choice is, therefore, necessary in this illusion because there is something to select between. However, the best usage of choice is served by knowing both the error and correction sides of the split mind, or everything you are choosing between. Then, simply remember that your goal would be to return the mind to True Perception and choose again! It will also help to keep at heart the coinciding terms for True Perception: Correction, forgiveness, salvation, atonement, truth, Holy Spirit and God. There is absolutely no difference.
